JOHOR BARU: Age is no barrier for both the youngest and the oldest candidates contesting in the Johor election as they seek to win over voters in their respective constituencies.
Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Stulang seat Lim Chin Eng, 73, said age is not a measure of one’s ability to understand and serve the public.
“I believe politics is not a contest of age but of sincerity, experience and the ability to serve.
“What matters is whether a person is willing to work hard and deliver results for the people,” he said in an interview.
Lim, who is contesting for the first time, said he decided to enter politics because he wanted to give back to the community.
“I decided to contest now because I believe this is the right time to contribute my experience for the people of Stulang.
“For me, entering politics is not about pursuing a position but serving the people and helping them to resolve problems,” said Lim, adding that he has spent years serving the community, including as a Johor Baru City Council councillor and an adviser to various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Lim said his priorities would be addressing bread and butter issues such as cost of living, economic opportunities, traffic congestion, public safety and public amenities.
“An elected representative should not only appear during elections but should consistently go to the ground, listen to the people and help solve their woes.
“If I am elected, I want the people of Stulang to feel that they have a representative who is always with them,” said Lim, who is from Bersatu’s affiliate wing.
Lim will be involved in a four-cornered fight against incumbent Andrew Chen Kah Eng of Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional’s Bong Seng Heng and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Stanley Tan.
Meanwhile, Pakatan candidate for the Johor Lama seat Danish Hossman Abd Rahman, 23, said he hopes to show that young people have a role to play in shaping the country’s future through politics.
“I may be young but I am not new to serving the community and have been actively involved in NGOs.
“I see myself as a bridge between the wisdom of the older generation and the aspirations of young people,” he said.
Danish, who is currently pursuing his Master’s in Information Technology, said one of the reasons he decided to contest was to encourage more young people to take an interest in politics as government policies have a direct impact on their daily lives.
“There are many younger voters as well. I want to engage and understand the issues that matter most to them.
“I also understand that about 7,000 voters in Johor Lama are aged 60 and above.
“My approach is to meet them face-to-face and listen to their concerns,” said the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia student.
Danish, who is from PKR, will face incumbent Norlizah Noh of Barisan and Perikatan’s Aisah Esa.
